WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 17: Merry Christmas by AverageMansReviews

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 17: Merry Christmas by AverageMansReviews

Warning: flashing effects/colourful effects/fire/blood

Commentary Award goes to: Eric Bischoff for being the linchpin for this episode and dropping in the fact that Hulk Hogan is now suspended for the rest of 1995, later on he also makes reference to the WWF/WWE as in a snippet; their wrestlers are leaving in droves and coming to where the big boys/women play, I have adapted this to include women because of Medusa which somewhere previously in fairness to Bischoff he makes reference to and I should just point this out Steve "Mongo" McMichael [with Pepe the Chihuahua,] picks things up from there and continues the reference about Medusa and what she did last week and that lesser league [the WWF/WWE,] before somebody points this out to me instead of using Hart usual “The Mouth of the South”Bischoff goes with “Madman” even though that I have said this there isn’t  a difference between is usual heel shtick anyway and finally Bischoff  putts this out there the intriguing question of who was Sting it can help; is it "Macho Man" Randy Savage or "The Total Package" Lex Lugar?

Wrestling Award goes to: "The Iceman" Dean Malenko vs.  Mr. J. L: Singles Match

Honorary mention: Sting performs this small package pin beginning from the far right upper turnbuckle in his match against Big Bubba Roger: Singles Match

Promo Award goes to:  [just away from the entrance ramp] "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Sting and yet again his relationship with "The Total Package" Lex Lugar, Starrcade '95; World Cup of Wrestling, Ric Flair and WCW vs. New Japan Pro Wrestling in the World Cup; including the extra bonus of no theme music for Sting, but the pyro goes off which makes Okerlund jump; so this is a blooper. [I should provide a little bit more background; after this interview/promo section Sting has a match with everything going according to plan as in how it should go. But Sting does put across that something didn't order hasn't gone according to plan either the previous time or this time, I should point out that this is just based on opinion, observation and speculation] and then on the way down to the ring Sting has noticed he has these Sting images/lights on the floor when he goes to the ring.

Later on

 [Just away from the entrance ramp] "Mean" Gene Okerlund with a Father Christmas hat on interviews "Dungeon of Doom's" "The Total Package" Lex Lugar  [with "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart] as they basically talk about things leading into Starrcade '95: World Cup of Wrestling [with Sting paying attention from ringside as he is just had his match.] Sgt. Craig "Pitbull" Pitman interrupting Hart to ask him to manage him in short he declines.

Later on

[Just away from the entrance ramp] "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Four Horsemen's" "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair about tonight's main event, Hart interrupts by basically saying, I am sorry for what " The Taskmaster" Kevin Sullivan had to say last week and Hart asks Flair if you can be in his corner tonight, I am paraphrasing here for saving him last week he wants to return the favour and be in his corner tonight which Flair agrees to.

This episode receives: 7/10, this episode is good; it is solidly does what it is designed to do and that is be a go home episode, before this pay-per-view which is only days away of WCW Starrcade '95: World Cup of Wrestling.

 

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 16: Madusa Trashes the WWF 18/12/1995 by AverageMansReviews

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 16: Madusa Trashes the WWF 18/12/1995 by AverageMansReviews

Warning: flashing effects/colourful effects/fire

Commentary Award goes to: Eric Bischoff for less than a minute making a reference paraphrasing, but you will get the point; of this TV program always been live, in reference to the WWF/WWE not always been live [pre-recorded] and later speculates on the allegiance between  "The Total Package" Lex Lugar and Sting. Even though I know Bischoff makes a tiny blooper on commentary; he was meant to take us to [just away from the entrance ramp] Okerlund, but he said into the ring instead and other bloggers but he does correct himself in those.

Wrestling Award goes to:  The Four Horsemen's "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair vs. Eddie Guerrero: Singles Match

Promo Award goes to: Alundra Blayze/Medusa; debut and legendary segment [I am not being disrespectful by not talking about it at too much greater length here, as you will see she will pick up another award momentarily.]

Later on

[In the middle of the ring] "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Four Horsemen's" "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair & "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson; Okerlund threatens to basically terminate this interview if Flair does not stop attacking Guerrero; Anderson provides an update on the progression and success of this faction/stable over recent times [we also get a video package simultaneously of what happened on last week's Nitro.] Okerlund brings Flair into the conversation as we come back from the video package we see "The Taskmaster" Kevin Sullivan and “The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart enter into the ring to interrupt Flair. Sullivan is not happy that "Flyin" Brian Pillman mentioned The Dungeon of Doom in that promo last week in fact Sullivan said basically you have a loose cannon and you better keep him on a short leash.

Later on

Sgt. Craig "Pitbull" Pitman comes to the commentary area with a microphone in his hand and asks Heenan to manage him, but Heenan doesn't manage anymore, he is a broadcast journalist so he declines, but he does say give me your details and I will pass them on to another manager, but Heenan will help him in any way he can Sgt. Pitman declares if he does not get help, he will take no prisoners.

Later on

[In the middle of the ring] Okerlund interviews; Sting and talked to him about his involvement in Starrcade '95': World Cup of Wrestling:.

Later on/finally Okerlund interviews; interviews Hulk Hogan and the WCW World Heavyweight Champion "Macho Man" Randy Savage outlining the potential journey of the the WCW World Heavyweight Champion [this segment is also involving the Dungeon of Doom's The Giant.]

Debut Award goes to: Alundra Blayze/Medusa with 80 seconds into this episode we have this wrestler [making her way into the commentary section with a microphone and this WWF Women's Championship] performing her infamous and legendary debut as she pronounces herself as Medusa and takes the WWF Women's Championship and puts it in the bin and to really push the point/battle lines have been drawn you have with  Steve "Mongo" McMichael [with Pepe the Chihuahua] referencing Connecticut [if you didn't know is the headquarters of the WWF/WWE.]

Honourable mention: I know if I don't make reference to this at some point or another I will have backlash; we also have William "Refrigerator" Perry making his debut appearance, now once again this for those younger generations who may be thinking what is the significance of this? Well to continue pushing the narrative of the battle lines have been drawn this individual also was involved in WrestleMania 2 1986 in the Battle Royal and later on in 2006 he was entered into the WWE Hall of Fame.

This episode receives: 8/10, this episode is excellent; it does attempt to give the illusion of chaos as in constructive chaos for one example which even clearly see in this content scheduled/illusion of unscheduled interruptions in the commentary area in one way or another.

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 15: What's Up With Hulk Hogan and Sting? 11/12/1995 by AverageMansReviews

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 15: What's Up With Hulk Hogan and Sting? 11/12/1995 by AverageMansReviews

Warning: flashing effects/colourful effects/fire/medical

Commentary Award goes to: Bobby " The Brain" Heenan/"Weasel" for putting his opinion across about the trust between Hogan & Sting as they team up the night vs. "The Four Horsemen's" "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair & "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson [yes Heenan did also bring up briefly the trust between Flair and Anderson; but that isn't the main focus point here] and goes to check on the condition of "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff/provides as things are right now, later on he speculates of the welfare of Orndorff and I know he makes a blooper getting mixed up between two wrestlers names but he corrects himself; "Is going to beat Hogan, I mean Savage."

Wrestling Award goes to: "The Four Horsemen's" "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair &"The Enforcer" Arn Anderson vs. Sting & Hulk Hogan: Tag Team Match. [Here is something for you to look out for; seemingly some guy with a cap facing forward has switched sides from a Hogan fan to a Horsemen;  as he stands up turned around to face us the viewers; rips up a Hogan shirt and begins the Horsemen gesture, I would suggest that he had this premeditated as he has different clothing on so it wasn't spontaneous as he throws it into the ring and Savage deals with it and on a closer inspection of the replay he had Hogan's shirt in his hand so this was indeed premeditated]

Promo Award goes to: [just away from the entrance ramp] "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "Dungeon of Doom's" "The Total Package" Lex Lugar  [with "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart] as they basically talk about things that Lugar should already be the WCW World Heavyweight Champion, leading up to Starrcade '95: World Cup of Wrestling  the WCW World Heavyweight Savage and basically Lugar having his number [we get to see footage of what he means.] in the Triple Threat Match at this event including "The Four Horsemen" Ric Flair vs. Sting.

Later on 

[just away from the entrance ramp] "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Four Horsemen's" "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson & Flyin Brian; basically Brian runs his mouth about this and that including Orndorff,  Flair begins to talk about the main event with Hogan and Sting. From down the ramp Orndorff interrupts which he apologises but essentially he isn't going to take that from Brian; unfortunately things escalate to where Orndorff gets majorly laid out by The Horsemen.

Later on

[just away from the entrance ramp] "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Sting, Hogan and the WCW World Heavyweight Champion  "Macho Man" as they talk about his upcoming itinerary for an example defending his championship "The Dungeon of Doom's The Giant" live on TNT/Nitro, including the kayfabe reference between father and son of  André the Giant and The Giant.

Later on/finally [in the middle of the ring] Okerlund interviews; Hogan, Sting and the WCW World Heavyweight Champion Savage in a nutshell; resolve things so that they are all on the same page; so in one way or another they can go up against; the heels that are facing them at the moment; be it the Dungeon of Doom and/or The Four Horsemen

This episode receives: 8/10, this episode is excellent: as you can see every promo section of this episode is let's be glowingly positive to begin with; they are very noteworthy, now let's be slightly less glowing [not negative, but realistic] they do a lot of the heavy lifting of this episode, generally speaking gets the okay TV matches minus the main event obviously. But even I can't ignore the glaringly obvious as I have already referenced the promo segments do a lot of the heavy lifting of this episode and on top of that we even get a Slim Jim's advertisement/commercial

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 14: Sir Charles 04/12/1995 by AverageMansReviews

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 14: Sir Charles 04/12/1995 by AverageMansReviews

Warning: flashing effects/colourful effects/fire

Commentary Award goes to: Eric Bischoff for being informative about certain wrestlers being put on probation after the WCW Executive Committee/others as you try and get control after last week's actions as of previous episode I will namedrop just one name Hulk Hogan, we also have references to the other wrestling promotion better known as the WWF/WWE, but you will have to read between the lines; for an example here is a rough transcript I tried to get it completely down, but I like to give myself a small window of error "I warn you, stay with us we are not leaving. Hey and 10 o'clock straight up, this isn't any kind of cable show like that other stuff. If we go along go along, stay with us we're gonna bring you all the action and the C stands for commitment." I should just point out the C he is making reference to having an educated guess is in the initials WCW which as everyone should know actually stands for World Championship Wrestling.

Wrestling Award goes to: "Dungeon of Doom's" "The Total Package" Lex Lugar [with "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart] vs. the WCW World Champion "Macho Man" Randy Savage; Singles Match for the WCW World Championship; which also has massive implications to the upcoming pay-per-view Starrcade '95: World Cup of Wrestling ; the winner gets to defend their championship at this event, meanwhile the loser gets to go into a Triple Threat No1 Contenders Match to compete again for this championship at this event; they really did give this match the time and level of a pay-per-view match and not being disrespectful but not a TV match even you can have guessed on what type of outlay/outcome these here. Which I am not criticising or unhappy with; because this place was loud and they went with storyline progression.

Promo Award goes to: [just away from the entrance ramp] "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Sting and "The Total Package" Lex Lugar as they talk about Starrcade '95 and their involvement in the Triple Threat Match at this event including "The Four Horsemen" "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair [now I should very quickly point out this is before the main event of the night's show so I have given nothing away] and they are just straight with one another. I have to say I do find it funny when this segment ends Sting goes slightly back up the ramp to then turn around and begin his entrance for this match is right now, it has a very small presentation of I have just remembered I am meant to be wrestling next. But I am sure he knows he is wrestling next am just saying it is slightly comical as it gives off the impression of what I have just illustrated.

Later

[In the ring] "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews Sting, Hogan and the WCW World Heavyweight Champion Savage having this heated discussion about this on going situation with Lugar

This episode receives: 7/10, this episode is good: it does have good stuff in it, but I think you know what I'm going to say; this main event is this episode and the surrounding sediments as well. I am beginning to remember how good this promotion was back in the day; I know, I know it doesn't last forever. But for now let me just have it for now.

 

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 13: What a Party! 27/11/1995 by AverageMansReviews

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 13: What a Party! 27/11/1995 by AverageMansReviews

Warning: flashing effects/colourful effects/fire/shooting/biting/racist and sexist comments

Commentary Award goes to: Eric Bischoff for being the linchpin throughout this episode, questioning the relationship between Sting & "The Total Package" Lex Lugar and towards the very closing stages of this episode he quickly mentions WCW Starrcade '95 [after I have finished my previous pay-per-view.]

Wrestling Award goes to: rematch from last night's pay-per-view WCW World War 3 1995 [JPW Group] Mayumi Ozaki & Cutie Suzuki vs. [All-Japan Women] Bull Nakano & Akira Hokuto [with Sonny Onoo:] Inter-Promotional Women's Tag Team Match: let's put it this way and this is completely based on speculation, but it wouldn't surprise me if they got hold you have this amount of time to work with. So in turn these four wrestlers just went with; okay let's just go with a similar match/match slot like we did last night and fitted around the TV time we have.

Promo Award goes to: "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews the new WCW World Heavyweight Champion  "Macho Man" Randy Savage [there are other wrestlers involved in this segment] but the controversy of last night, but for a little bit more, I will just namedrop one wrestler here Hulk Hogan] substance there is a blooper/a bit of comedy here where Okerlund says essentially he would like to shake his hand so Okerlund puts out his hand but for some strange reason Savage just leaves him hanging there, to the point where it translates as being awkward, so Okerlund after some time just goes in to give him a brief handshake

Thumbs Down Award goes to: rematch match from last night's pay-per-view Diamond Dallas Page vs. the WCW World Television Champion Johnny B. Badd [with the Dimond Doll] Singles Match for the WCW World Television Championship: without giving too much away I know, I know I am very much aware that this match slot was about storyline progression and nothing else [in a nutshell; the match slot is shot from the Doll, so basically the wrestling is in the close background] which I am absolutely fine with. The fact in the replay they took a different perspective so the wrestling came first, so I am thinking okay why didn't you rotate between ongoing situation with Doll and rotate between her and the wrestling? So it is due to the camera positioning which I should very quickly add I am blaming the people that didn't rotate between different camera angles and not the camera people operating the cameras is to why this match/match slot is here and for those very observant people, yes if I didn't see things from any other prospective this match slot wouldn't be here.

This episode receives: 8/10, this episode is excellent; when or if you come to watch this episode, hopefully you will come to understand and I mean that in the most nicest way that this is one of those occasions where even a 7 feels and looks a bit low and it has a very good thing that I haven't found or I don't want to start using a points system like for an example 7.5 or it would give me a headache, I know there is some websites out there that use this point system but it is an overview perspective not in this case is a specific episode.

 

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 12: Countdown to World War 3 20/11/1995 by AverageMansReviews

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 12: Countdown to World War 3 20/11/1995 by AverageMansReviews

Warning: flashing effects/colourful effects/fire

Commentary Award goes to: Eric Bischoff for advertising the WCW Hotline with Tenay that includes the recent pay-per-view results and a wrestler that doesn't work for WCW any more as of today and on top of that Bischoff makes reference to the other place [WWF/E in one way or another, he does make one direct reference to this wrestling company, but it has been slightly taken now, meaning you think they have left it in but in the last bit saying the F has been removed for obvious reasons and playing devil’s advocate as it relates to the upcoming pay-per-view of WCW World War 3.

Wrestling Award goes to: Eddie Guerrero vs. The Four Horsemen's Flyin' Brian [with "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair – he is not here for this match/match slot:] Singles Match; where as you come to expect from a Guerrero match, he delivers a quality match with Brian. Sting vs. Hulk Hogan [with "The Macho Man" Randy Savage:] Singles Match, where we get to see you Hogan actually integrates some of his wrestling move set from his time in Japan. Now I should provide you with some background details, it has recently come to my attention over the past couple of years that the Hogan most of us saw and experienced as a wrestler had predominately a basic move set. But when Hogan went to Japan his move set was wider than you think and I only know this because I have seen clips of it on twitter at one point or another and that is what you get a little bit of a taste in this match/match slot he goes in for wrestling moves for an example a drop toe, I know this is a much but considering who I am talking about this is a big thing amongst his usual wrestling and puts in a good wrestling performance and not forgetting the surrounding goings-on around this match slot.

Promo Award goes to: "Mean" Gene Okerlund interviews "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart & The Dungeon of Doom's “The Taskmaster" Kevin Sullivan; the viewers get one of those heel yet truthful promos from Hart how he sees it [I was just thinking I would cover my back here,] as he is talking about Sting, Hogan, Savage and Baywatch [including some footage of Hogan, Savage and Baywatch over the top of this promo, then we would turn to Nitro.] Sullivan; in a nutshell advertises WCW World War 3 the main event where we have 60 men wanting to get their hands on the vacant WCW World Heavyweight Championship, amongst this Sullivan makes reference to Hart being his only manager in his career and Hogan.

Later on

The Four Horsemen's "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair pulls out of a match with Eddie Guerrero and instead allows another member of The Four Horsemen Flyin' Brian to in short take care of business.

This episode receives: 8/10, this episode is excellent; on one hand this episode has some sections to it, whilst on the other hand it sets things up nicely for us to head into WCW World War 3 1995, which is our next port of call.

 

 

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 11: T-R-O-U-B-L-E 13/11/1995 by AverageMansReviews

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 11: T-R-O-U-B-L-E 13/11/1995 by AverageMansReviews

Warning/Disclaimers: flashing effects/colourful effects/fire/seizure. Disclaimers: anything I say about this individual is purely based on wrestling and nothing else I think we were having sound problems at one point with the commentary which is easy to pick up on, but also consistently with the ring announcer, I mean I have like bats hearing, yet I could hear anything comfortably, so apologies if I have got any of these stipulations wrong, I shouldn’t have but sometimes it is just better to be safe than sorry.

Commentary Award goes to: Eric Bischoff for questioning his commentary partner Bobby "The Brain"/"Weasel" Heenan, about his business dealings with the incoming Asian contingent or/and makes reference to it again and later on I am paraphrasing here breaking the news that Hulk Hogan vs. the WCW United States Champion Sting is lined up for next week

Wrestling Award goes to: Kensuke Sasak vs. The Four Horsemen's "The Canadian Crippler" Chris Benoit; Singles Match. Straight off the bat I know, I know this is a short match/slot but what we see get is hard-hitting wrestling, Eddie Guerrero vs. the WCW World Heavyweight Champion Johnny B. Badd: Singles Match for the WCW World Television Championship; now and again it isn't the most smoothest of matches, but still worthy of receiving this award or/and amongst these other matches as well. "The Iceman" Dean Malenko vs. the WCW United States Champion Sting; Singles Match yes it wasn't referenced on commentary that this championship was on the line here, but it will be up for grabs in a few days time against Kensuke Sasaki. But back to here and now those from the old school generations of wrestling fans knows precisely what Malenko can bring to the table and this match/match slot is an excellent example, so for the younger generations if you think that a shorter wrestler can't be seen as a major threat just take a look at this match/match slot, it should be noted the only thing I hate about this main event match is the fact that we have to take an advertising break [advertising W CW World War 3, 26/11/1995,] but I'm not going to hold that against this main event, because there is out of their control to be fair; I am talking about the wrestlers themselves, I know we get a little replay when we come back but still it is so irritating.

Promo Award goes to: "Mean"Gene Okerlund interviews the WCW United States Champion Sting where in short he accepts Hogan's challenge.

Thumbs Down Award goes to: this is one of those occasions where you have to ask okay the promo itself was okay, it got over what Hogan had in mind and had to say on this ongoing situation. But at the same time, the viewers can't take what he is saying seriously, because of this whole idea that someone came up with. Of it basically being situated in mediaeval times this segment begins with us looking at this symbol and hearing Hogan growl, he is holding a sword point down to begin with, yes he has a sword, no seriously he has a sword. With this black getup which he has been wearing some of it for some time now but now including hood and cape, a leather mask over his eyes and nose, with these bits of make-up on his face of these little lines. Let me put a little bit more context here for those people that watch NXT does anyone remember Scrypts' debut 22/11/2022 that is the kind of level I am talking about with this segment, where someone had the bright idea and it may have looked okay on paper but in reality not so much.

Later on

"Mean"Gene Okerlund interviews The Dungeon of Doom's The Giant [with “The Taskmaster" Kevin Sullivan] vs. the WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan [with "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart] in the middle of the ring basically building on to WCW pay-per-view World War 3, 26/11/1995 and in a nutshell we have yet again “The Taskmaster" Kevin Sullivan faking a seizure with Sullivan and Hart or just Sullivan performing this; not comical gesture to Hogan's ear gesture that he usually does to the crowd, then Sullivan goes back to having a seizure..

This episode receives: 7/10, this episode is good; this is one of those occasions where I struggled to award anything higher, yes generally speaking the wrestling is at worst something that gets us from point A to point B in the grand scheme of things or as you can see it receives awards. But the promos segments in one way or another are damaging to this episode.

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 10: WCW Interactive 06/11/1995 by AverageMansReviews

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 10: WCW Interactive 06/11/1995 by AverageMansReviews

Warning/Disclaimer: flashing effects/colourful effects/fire. Disclaimer: anything I say about this individual is purely based on wrestling and nothing else.

Commentary Award goes to: all of the commentary team working individually or/and together; Eric Bischoff shows us what happened at WCW Halloween Havoc 95 as it relates to the main event and The Macho Man" Randy Savage, he is here tonight but he is not correct wrestle so I am paraphrasing here he is going nuts which of course Bobby "The Brain"/"Weasel" Heenan makes a comical comment about this, later on Bischoff gets told that there is this major announcement, which I had put it here in this content and Steve "Mongo" McMichael [with Pepe the Chihuahua,] is just gelling with his commentary co-workers, you know bouncing off and contributing something.

Wrestling Award goes to: "The Canadian Crippler" Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero; Singles Match: that irritated me about this match is continuing this Heman business deal with these incoming Asian contingent. Because of the world we are currently living in, my views are not based on racism but just based on the fact that strangely enough I want to see these two wrestlers wrestle, they could have done this at any other time minus now and the main event slot and speaking of the main event we have The Red Locker Room Member vs. The Blue Locker Room Member; Singles Match, obviously I'm not going to tell you the results, because that would spoil this entire episode.

Promo Award goes to: "Mean"Gene Okerlund: Interviewer in The Red Locker Room Members [Heels] and Tony Schiavone: Interviewer in The Blue Locker Room Members [Babyfaces;] where these two interviewers do also promote "You call the shots" and do the standard information coming up on-screen throughout these segments, now at one point or another I don't know who told these wrestlers to act up, but if you are from all older than my generation to you a rough outline; you when in the early years of WWF/WWE Survivor Series where you basically a Babyfaces team being enthusiastic to go out there and take care of business, that is what we have here or those kind of things depending on what character dynamic/locker room you are in. Tony Schiavone: Interviewer in The Blue Locker Room Member [Babyfaces;] I think somebody cursed, I am not sure but what leads me to think this; there is there a noticeable screeching sound as if someone was trying to cover something up, but I should also point out a moment before this we had screen issue as if we were experiencing VHS video problems, I was just thinking I would put that out there as well.

But we also have Jim Duggan, being Jim Duggan being enthusiastic carrying his 2 x 4 hitting it off something in the background and then he comes round to the front, then he does this little routine of walking through the camera shot for ring either a steel chair or/and his 2 x 4 from one side to the other end up walking through the short looking down the camera, whilst the other wrestlers are making their own noise and other things including Schiavone trying to do his promotional thing.

Later on

"Mean"Gene Okerlund: Interviewer in The Red Locker Room Members [Heels] had an interview with Flair and from out of nowhere someone turns lights off whilst he is giving this promo; Okerlund tell someone to turn the lights back on, eventually someone does; Flair being who he is just makes reference to it in his promo.

Later on

One final thing; without giving too much away; Schiavone in the ring with surrounding characters in a nutshell drops a bombshell about the WCW World Heavyweight Championship will be resolved at WCW World War 3 in the main event of this pay-per-view 60 Man World War 3 Match and the WCW World Heavyweight Championship is up for grabs.

This episode receives: 8/10, this episode is excellent; as you can see/read there is a lot happening in this episode and for the bits and pieces I haven't mentioned it's like in one way or another they are functional, you know okay doing its job and it hasn't been lost on me whenever Guerrero wrestles he makes an appearance in this content.

 

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 9: Halloween Havoc Hangover 30/10/1995 by AverageMansReviews

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 9: Halloween Havoc Hangover 30/10/1995 by AverageMansReviews

Warning: flashing effects/colourful effects/fire/fake seizure

Commentary Award goes to: all of the commentary team working individually or/and together; they talk about last night's pay-per-view of WCW Halloween Havoc 95, including from the beginning until the end of this episode building up to this video package of what happened last night, including why the "Macho Man" Randy Savage isn't here tonight which and I mean this nicely is no big loss, because he got replaced by Eddie Guerrero which I will bring that up for sure, I know at some point Heenan does leave the commentary table and on top of that he says a blooper, where he gets confused between Meng and Sting, Bischoff promotes for next week and interactive week; where we can all make a match in one from the red locker room takes on someone from the locker room, but between Steve "Mongo" McMichael [with Pepe the Chihuahua,] Eric Bischoff and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan/"Weasel" they really do keep this episode going, because without them this episode would have been so much worse.

Wrestling Award goes to: Eddie Guerrero vs. Sgt Craig "PitBull" Pittman; Singles Match; this is a good little match/match slot, but it is heading shoulders above any other wrestling on this program this week.

Promo Award goes to: in the middle of the ring Tony Schiavone: Interviewer recapping with last night's footage; The Horsemen's "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson & not a member Flyin' Brian vs. the WCW US Heavyweight Champion & "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair: Tag Team Match. Then he is joined by the newly reformed The Horsemen's "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson, Flyin' Brian & "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, where they inform us in a nutshell the WCW United States Heavyweight Champion Sting they are back as The Four Horsemen.

Thumbs Down Award goes to: Sabu vs. Disco Inferno: Singles Match. I know I have made reference to this or at least in the same ballpark as it relates to Sabu once before, but what was the point of bringing him in to this promotion and this is still nothing against him. I think every wrestling fan or wrestling person within the industry knows what you get with Sabu, he will give you everything including burning the house down whilst he is still having a wrestling match with somebody or anybody, this is just a terrible way to show him. We get to see the closing stages of last night's main event The Dungeon of Doom's The Giant [with “The Taskmaster" Kevin Sullivan] vs. the WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan [with"The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart;] Singles Match for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. We are in the middle of the ring with Tony Schiavone: Interviewer without giving too much away let's just say a selection of wrestlers that were involved in last night's main event and to be brutally honest yet fair as soon as warning seizure; The Dungeon of Doom's “The Taskmaster" Kevin Sullivan fakes this seizure as a joke I was done, no seriously, I don't care, I don't have time for this on any level

This episode receives: 3/10, this episode is poor; generally speaking the episodes before and after a pay-per-view are or should be easy winners, let's just keep in mind I said generally speaking. Because you have either angles build up for the pay-per-view or you have the aftermath of the pay-per-view in question. But this episode is garbage, I mean full disclosure I could have given another mark to this episode, but in hindsight it would have been too much of a stretch, what clinched it for me was the entire faking of a seizure. I can work with a simulation of neck breaking, because that is relatively easy to simulate without being too graphic. But with a seizure especially in this case it was used as a joke and it happened in the ring; it crossed that imaginary line for me, but let's leave this episode on the comical note I have just noticed that title of this episode is essentially being a hangover, well they weren't kidding after seeing this episode.

 

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 8: Insurance Policy 23/10/1995 by AverageMansReviews

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 8: Insurance Policy 23/10/1995 by AverageMansReviews

Warning/Disclaimer: flashing effects/colourful effects/fire. Disclaimer anything I say about this individual is purely based on wrestling and nothing else

Commentary Award goes to: all of the commentary team working individually or together; paraphrasing Bobby "The Brain" Heenan/"Weasel" doing his usual masterful work at being on commentary Eric Bischoff; making reference to the fact that the challenger and champion are both here tonight without any restrictions, Bischoff and Steve "Mongo" McMichael [Pepe the Chihuahua;] advertising the WCW Hotline and making reference to the WWF/E In Your House pay-per-view.

Wrestling Award goes to: I will be a bit more general, not out of laziness but just based on I would be discussing the whole wrestling matches on its programming tonight; so to start we have; " Macho Man" Randy Savage vs. Kurasawa [with Col. Parker:] Singles Match; basically this is how you keep both wrestlers looking strong with also getting a result, "The Canadian Crippler" Chris Benoit & "The Iceman" Dean Malenko vs. Mr. J. L. & Eddie Guerrero [with Alex Wright "Das Wunderkind" it was apparently meant to be Guerrero & Wright, but as you will clearly injured:] Tag Team match; and its surrounding content. Yes this match is everything you expect it to be and Harlem Heat: Stevie Ray & Booker T. [with Sister Sherry] vs. the WCW Heavyweight Champion Sting & "The Total Package" Lex Luther: Tag Team Match; and it surrounding content; this is one of the main event where it sets things up for Sunday and Halloween Havoc 1995.

Promo Award goes to: likewise I will be general based on the same reasons as the wrestling with; we have a Dungeon of Doom segment involving The Master, The Yeti [dormant in an iceberg,] "Mean"Gene Okerlund interviews  The Dungeon Of Doom's The Giant [with The Taskmaster Kevin Sullivan] and after the WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan [with "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart;] both segments revolve around this upcoming Sunday pay-per-view WCW Halloween Havoc including Hogan laying down the challenge to the WCW United States Heavyweights Champion Sting or Savage or "The Total Package" Lex Luther; to take on Hogan for his championship.

Debut Award goes to: The Yeti; I have very a niche reason why I have awarded this award. If you have ever seen the animated TV movie of Inhumanoids 1986; specifically when Decompose begins to break free out of this iceberg, that essentially what we have here.

This episode receives:  10/10, this episode is lots of fun; it sets things up nicely for this Sunday's pay-per-view WCW Halloween Havoc 1995; which if you have forgotten I did say I would move on to the next.

 

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 7: Find Out What It Means To Me 16/10/1995 by AverageMansReviews

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 7: Find Out What It Means To Me 16/10/1995 by AverageMansReviews

Warning/Disclaimer: flashing effects/colourful effects/fire/simulation of neck breaking/shooting. Disclaimer: anything I say about this individual is purely based on wrestling and nothing else

Commentary Award goes to: Eric Bischoff for being generally informative and basically being the maestro of the show, handing things off and go back to him, moving on and that kind of thing.

Wrestling Award goes to: Eddie Guerrero vs. "The Canadian Crippler" Chris Benoit; Singles Match full disclosure I know there are a couple of botches in this match from  Guerrero, but if you have been around wrestling long enough you would know that for a wrestling perspective these two can go and that's what they show here.

Debut Award goes to: "The Canadian Crippler" Chris Benoit; this was his debut in WCW and it made him and Guerrero look both as real deals

Promo Award goes to: abbreviated videos package of  "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair asking the WCW US Heavyweight Sting to be his tag team partner with "Mean"Gene Okerlund last Saturday at WCW Pro,"Mean"Gene Okerlund promoting the WCW Hotline for all your wrestling news; brings up the WWF/E in that news and to finish off we have the same trio from Saturday in the ring as Flair is looking for a response from Sting; based on what Sting has just seen tonight he accepts; so at WCW Halloween Havoc 1995 we have "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson & Flyin' Brian vs. the WCW US Heavyweight Champion Sting & "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair: Tag Team Match

This episode receives: 7/10, this episode is good; again full disclosure; we get another video package or/and Promo of; the WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan [with "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart;] building up this feud more with The Dungeon Of Doom's The Giant [with The Taskmaster Kevin Sullivan;] for their matches at WCW Halloween Havoc 1995 for his championship. Yes absolutely I have given promo awards up to this point as it relates to these promos, but the problem is we have heard something similar from the champ and Hart for a long time now. So at this point I am like meh, it does what it is designed to do, but I can also say on reflection this is the weakest one so far, if I had to pick one [it could be because I have heard similar promo over the past many weeks so it could always be an element of becoming stale creeping in or this one just comes off a Little bit more of a ramble,] but as I have just said it does what it is designed to do. But don't get me wrong regardless if it does what it is designed to do, if the quality drops lower I will happily award these promos potentially Thumbs Down Award

 

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 6: Sting’s Solution 09/10/1995 by AverageMansReviews

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 6: Sting’s Solution 09/10/1995 by AverageMansReviews

Warning: flashing effects/colourful effects/fire/simulation of neck breaking

Commentary Award goes to: Bobby "The Brain"/"Weasel" Heenan a situation update as it relates to The WCW World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan and The Dungeon of Doom's The Giant and the surrounding characters from each side. Likewise Eric Bischoff breaking the news from two police officers [we see them on screen, I know they are more than likely just characters] as he is told an update of this escalating situation between these wrestlers which I have just stated

Wrestling Award goes to: The Enforcer" Arn Anderson vs. "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair; Steel Cage Match [it is the version using a silver grade without a roof on] with the wrestling match having being best describe wrestling on x2 on your fast-forward button on your remote, meaning I am speculating here but backing it up with a viewing experience of they may have been told you have this certain amount of time worked to it; still very good wrestling though, well what do you expect with who is involved and with the stipulation in play here.

Promo Award goes to: the US Heavyweight Champion Sting comes onto the screen behind the commentary table and in a nutshell delivers a promo where in short he says he is going to fix the problem between The Macho Man" Randy Savage and " The Total Package" Lex Luther.

Later on

Mean"Gene Okerlund interviews Sting, Luther and Savage [if I was to be more precise it is squabbling between the trio of wrestlers and Okerlund trying to keep a lid on and keep up with this situation.] Where Sting suggests in my words mini tournament Singles matched for Halloween Havoc, where if this Savage beats The Dungeon of Doom's Zodiac and likewise Lugar beats Meng on the same night we will have Savage vs. Lugar

Mean"Gene Okerlund interviews  the WCW Heavyweight Champion [with "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart] Hogan makes reference to André the Giant and The Giant being in kayfabe father and son again. Then Hogan must have thought backstage or someone must have thought in for a penny, in for a pound. As Hogan makes reference to Mr McMahon and the WWF. But he doesn't reference them directly he puts it in a story outlay [ongoing situation here.]

Bischoff gets a warning over his headset that "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair comes up to the commentary; from behind Bischoff sees him coming [puts over that Flair is far from happy] and rips Bischoff's headset off his head [so much so Bischoff's headset breaks] to challenge Anderson and "Flyin" Brian next week on Nitro: it is one of those furious yet passionate promo's from Flair

This episode receives: 8/10, this episode is excellent; what with the video package of last week's events capturing our attention even before the opening credits sequence, yes this episode is basically information/promo heavy with some okay to very good wrestling on it, but it has been given the style of unscripted [we know it is scripted] chaos.

 

 

 

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 5: 02/10/1995 by AverageMansReviews

WCW Monday Nitro Season 1, Episode 5: Find Out What It Means To Me 02/10/1995 by AverageMansReviews

Warning: flashing effects/colourful effects/fire

Commentary Award goes to: all of the commentary team working individually or together; Eric Bischoff and Steve "Mongo" McMichael [with Pepe the dog if you are interested it looks like a Chihuahua] and on some research I can confirm at minimum it looks like one making references to Raw, Bischoff I am paraphrasing here telling Bobby " The Brain" Heenan/"Weasel" not to reply to Michael's question or he will pull his mic and Heenan laughing at what happens to the WCW Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan.

Wrestling Award goes to: "Macho Man" Randy Savage and "The Total Package" Lex Luther; Singles Match where if Lex Luger loses he is gone From WCW [surrounding content]

Eddie Guerrero vs. "The Iceman" Dean Malenko: Singles Match [with Disco Inferno interruption, video package of how this match came aboutI know there is a blooper year from Tony Schaivone In short he calls a Frog Splash a Jackknife and breakaway for an incoming Promo then back to the action] and finally "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson vs. "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair: Singles Match I like simplistic booking obviously I mean this with no disrespect but every experienced either person in wrestling or fan would know this line/question very well indeed; does everyone look better for having these matches? Yes, especially with the second and third there is some progression here/there.

Debut Award goes to: Eddie Guerrero for his debut on Nitro and not WCW debut, because this would be his second run in this company as on some research it started in 1986 to 1992, but as you can see I have got around that by saying debut on Nitro and as Nitro was not around before late 1995 this is acceptable. But for here and now this match shows with Malenko, there is something special about Guerrero.

Promo Award goes to: "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair interrupting the commentary team from their planed schedule to passionately/furiously build up to his match tonight against "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson.

Video packages of how we got here between Luther and Savage.

The WCW Heavyweight Champion promos with "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart or/and interviewer "Mean"Gene Okerlund [surrounding content]

This episode receives: 10/10, this episode is top-notch entertainment; they really did fill this episode up with as you can see wall-to-wall content of things that mattered, Even some comical moments such as Disco Inferno and Bischoff threatening to disconnect Heenan's mic. I deliberately was a little bit vague, simply based on the fact that I try not to give everything away or directly away.